International Women’s Day: Advancing Rights, Justice, and Action for All Women and Girls

Message from Professor Sir Hilary Beckles

Vice-Chancellor, The University of the West Indies

For International Women’s Day 2026

Dear UWI Family,

On this International Women’s Day, we join the global community in advancing the UN Women global theme for International Women’s Day 2026, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”

This call challenges us not only to acknowledge inequities but to take decisive action. It reminds us that the pursuit of justice requires bold steps—through our mentorship, advocacy, knowledge, and resources—to help transform the systems that shape women’s lives.

Since its founding, The University of the West Indies has stood firmly for gender equality. For over seven decades, our Caribbean women leaders—many of whom are UWI scholars, students, and alumni—have shaped the region through service, leadership, and activism. This unwavering commitment is reflected institutionally as well. The UWI Gender Policy formalises our dedication to gender justice, and gender mainstreaming stands proudly as a core value in our 2022–2027 Triple A Strategic Plan.

In addition to embedding gender equality and justice across all areas of our operations, The UWI advances these values through our academic mission. Beyond the longstanding leadership of The UWI Institute for Gender and Development Studies, our new International School for Development Justice (ISDJ) expands the University’s offerings in this vital area. Among its flagship programmes is the online Master’s in Gender Justice, Activism, and Sustainable Development—designed to prepare a new generation of advocates and practitioners committed to promoting justice and equality across the Caribbean and the wider world.

As we honour the enduring legacy of our Caribbean women and their transformative contributions, we are reminded that progress requires action—action that strengthens justice systems, challenges harmful norms, and creates the conditions for real equality. When women succeed, our University and our region also succeed.

This year’s theme calls us to follow their example: to stand up for the rights of all women and girls, to work toward justice that protects and empowers, and to take action that ensures equality is lived, not promised. In doing so, we uplift not only individuals but the future of our Caribbean civilisation. When women rise, we all rise.

I invite each member of our UWI family to reflect on this important question: What action will you take to advance the rights and justice that all women and girls deserve?

Let us continue, together, to build the just and inclusive world.